92 SHORTHORNS 



clean-legged stallions, Leicester and Cheviot rams, 

 also boars ; and prizes were given for other classes of 

 stock, including butchers' animals. In 1817, Mr Wm. 

 Robertson of Ladykirk suggested that the Border 

 Society should adopt the hiring principle in connec- 

 tion with cattle improvements, while still holding by 

 the premium system. His suggestion received full 

 support, and through Mr Matthew Culley of Akeld, a 

 Shorthorn bull, " for the use of the Society," was hired 

 from Mr Christopher Mason of Chilton at 60 gs,, and 

 the animal was sent north in the spring of 1818 

 "under the charge of a careful person." In 1820, 

 the two Societies " formed a junction " under the 

 name of the Union Society, and in modern times the 

 title of " Border Union " was adopted as being more 

 definite. At one of the early meetings of the Border 

 Society, Mr John Grey of Millfield, afterwards of 

 Dilston, referred to the cattle in the district as being 

 of no breed, but as combining the bad points of 

 several breeds, " covering with a thick hide large 

 bones on which it was almost impossible to lay fat." 

 It is probable that he referred specially to West 

 Berwickshire. At the Border Society Spring Show of 

 1814, the first premium of 42 for a Shorthorn bull 

 was won by Mr Thomas Smith, Grindon, and the 

 second, of 31, 10s., by Mr Matthew Culley. Mr 

 Smith was also first at the shows of the two following 

 years. After the joining of the two Societies, 

 premiums for Shorthorn bulls were gradually in- 

 creased. At the Autumn Show of 1832, for instance, 

 the first premium, of 50 sovereigns, was won by Mr 



